EU Forced Labour Regulations: Visiting Fellow Samira Rafaela Responds to Its Passage

The European Union approved on 19 November a set of Forced Labour Regulations, banning the sale of products made with forced labor in the European Union. These regulations, first proposed in 2022, will go into effect in late 2027. Former Member of European Parliament and current Cornell GLI Visiting Fellow Samira Rafaela, who helped write this legislation, responds to its approval:

“This is a proud moment for us all and a big step forward in the fight for global human rights. The Forced Labor Regulation is an ambitious, human-rights-focused law that sets a new standard in the fight against forced labor worldwide. The Forced Labor Regulation is a broad instrument, targeting forced labor within and outside the EU, with a comprehensive database to signal specific risks regarding products and geographical areas that are linked to forced labor and state-imposed forced labor. The Regulation covers the whole supply chain and all companies no matter the size. I look forward to exploring its implementation, opportunities, and impact on combating forced labor on the global stage.”